Sites are judged to be in favourable condition when the
objectives for the habitat are being met. Sites with habitat that
is in an unsatisfactory state are classed as in
unfavourable condition. Where this is the case, a judgement is
made as to whether the habitat is: (i) recovering – moving towards
the desired state; (ii) declining – moving away from the desired
state; or (iii) no-change – neither improving nor declining. Sites
are classed as destroyed (partially or completely) when the
habitat is no longer present and there is no prospect of being able
to restore it.

Condition on designated sites

The tables below summarise information on the
condition of coastal habitats at a UK-level as reported in
2006-07.

On sites designated as SSSI/ASSIs, the
condition of the majority of the three main coastal habitat types
was either favourable or unfavourable recovering. Nevertheless, a
sizeable percentage of each was unfavourable and did not show signs
of recovery. The condition of these habitats on SACs was generally
poorer and the majority of saltmarsh was in unfavourable condition
with no signs of recovery.

Information from SACs on coastal habitats
recognised under the EU Habitats Directive showed that the
condition of these types varied greatly. Although in some cases
most of the habitat was in favourable or unfavourable recovering
condition, for others a large part was unfavourable with no signs
of recovery.